Sallie Shuford Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 As I near the end of my first Whole30, I'm thinking about what I'm doing differently now. For sure, I'm not consuming 12-24 ounces of wine multiple times/week. As I think through whether I have a "healthy psychological response" to wine, I would veer away from saying yes. If I have one, I want two. If I have three, I want four. Aside from completely giving up wine, what are some ways you consider drawing boundaries around your "no brakes" foods and drinks so you can learn to have a healthy relationship with them? Thanks! Link to comment
SpunkyBug Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I'm going to say something you're not going to like (heck, I don't like it): If you find yourself having to lay down boundaries around your drinking, you probably have an issue with drinking. You sound a lot like me. Sometimes I can do two glasses of wine. But if I have that third one, I am so much more likely to have another and another. You can try crafting some rules, like only drinking when you're out, or never buying more than one bottle of wine at the time, things like that. But I have found that these rules rarely work for very long. If they work for you, that's great. But again, the fact that you have to create guidelines for your drinking suggests that things are not all good. Through a year of on and off Whole30ing and lots of time spent reading this forum, I have been amazed to discover the similarities between cravings and behaviors around food and alcohol. In a way, it makes struggling with alcohol a little less shameful -- it's just another food category that some of us can't seem to moderate, like sugar or crunchy snacks. Some of us can have a little square of chocolate, or a couple handfuls of popcorn, or one glass of wine. Some can't. The trick is to figure out who you are, and act accordingly. I have been considering quitting drinking altogether for a while now. I know removing the temptation entirely would be the best course. I've already cut down pretty significantly. But it's always there in the back of my mind as a possibility, and it might be nice to just remove that option completely. But have I done so yet? Nope. I am back on Whole30 again (my third one now), in part to take a break from drinking. I will be going 45 days right up until Thanksgiving, and I'm eager to see how I feel then. I know I will FEEL great, but what will I DO? The holidays are challenging. I'm sure I could go drink-less for the holidays, but do I want to? Good luck to you! Link to comment
Sallie Shuford Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 Thanks for that honest feedback SpunkyBug. Link to comment
SpunkyBug Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Ok, since I came on here last week acting like Miss Know-it-all, I have to confess: The very next day (Fri), I fell off the Whole30 wagon. On Friday my husband found out he got a raise, and I kicked butt at a presentation at work that I was freaking out about. I am sorry to say that the first thing that came to my mind was going out to dinner to celebrate and having a glass of wine. So I made the call, and we did just that. After 12 compliant days, during which I started to feel really great, I chose wine. I still ate mostly compliant at the restaurant, but I had two glasses of wine and a couple more when I got home. I'm not beating myself up about it, and I got right back to doing my Whole30 (since I was trying to do 45 consecutive days, I can still do 30 days between now and Thanksgiving). But it IS clear that I need to find better options for some of my strongest triggers. Like celebrating -- surely there's a better way to celebrate something great than guzzling down some wine, right?! It's very similar to quitting smoking, which I did six years ago. You just have to find other things to occupy yourself with, and once you do them enough, the desire for the cigarette or the glass of wine will dissipate. Melissa talks about this -- about how you have to force yourself out of old habits and into new ones. Sorry to take over your thread, but I appreciate the opportunity to keep thinking this through. Link to comment
Brandib Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Thank you for this post and both of you for your candor. I'm wrapping up my second round this week and the only thing I've really craved this round is red wine. Like every night really craving the experience of it. So that definitely tells me something...Like SpunkyBug, that "just give it up" voice is in the back of my head and I just haven't fully come to terms with that yet. Although my hubby and social circle have gotten used to me not drinking on my Whole30 rounds, I just don't know if I'm fully ready to give it up quite yet. But if I'm really honest with myself - I should. I definitely find that one glass leads to one bottle pretty darn easily. And I also am quick to use a night out (with drinks) as a way to celebrate or just as a wind down "reward" at the end of the day at home and tea just ain't making the cut. I'd like to figure out how to find a happy medium but really need to find out if that's possible for me. Welcome to the battle in my head So thanks for the candor in this thread to know I'm not alone in this! Link to comment
tkarlin Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I am new to this adventure, but, not new to the wine or Not wine question. Firstly, Not is always a good thing. Rereading about how alcohol is a neurotoxin is a strong reminder and helps motivation. If we can rephrase our thinking and see that NOT doing something is stronger than doing a lot of other things, is powerful. And, when with friends, a bubbly water with cranberry for color, in a wine glass does feel pretty festive. And, measuring 3/4 cup of wine, 6 ounces, is an effective strategy. Link to comment
omakelly Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 This is my first time posting in any type of forum and to come accross this topic immediately may be an omen. I'm on day 13 and all I can think about is it's Friday and I can't have a glass of wine after work. I so want to just jump ship right now but trying to find something to distract me. Something about ending a stressful week with a glass of wine just makes things feel safe and normal. HELP!!! Link to comment
SpunkyBug Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 You can do it, omakelly! I really wish I hadn't drank last Friday night. I can't take it back now, but I can keep moving forward. My husband and I went out for "date night" last night. We sat at the bar to eat, and I drank seltzer with lime. For the first time in a while, I didn't miss having wine at all. So, it IS possible. But you do have to give yourself time. You have to force yourself for a while, so that you can put together enough drink-less days (and nights) in a row that you start to feel the difference. Do that for yourself, and I promise not to drink this weekend, either! Link to comment
omakelly Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Thanks for the encouraging words. Made it through. Had sparkling water with lemon in a wine glass and was happy. Habits are so hard to break but I'm in for the long haul. Link to comment
Kelly2612 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 I have thought a lot about my drinking habits since starting my whole30 too. There are plenty of nights that I can opt out of wine, or only have a glass. But there are nights, just like I feel a compulsion to go back and get a second bowl of ice cream or a third handful of chocolate chips, that I have that compulsion for multiple glasses of wine. I just want it and I purposely don't question the desire and just have it. It's not a healthy habit. I was at a soccer match yesterday. We got there early and ended up sitting by people who I didn't know, and everyone had a drink. I almost always get a drink or two while waiting for the match to begin and chat with people around me. Yesterday I found myself longing for wine. Then I stopped and thought about why. I was bored. I was uncomfortable with the people I was with. I wanted to feel more relaxed. Wine was an easy was to achieve that, but there were other ways too. I decided to just get up and walk around the stadium instead, which solved my bored/uncomfortable/tense problem. It was just interested to go through the whole thought process and realize why I wanted wine. I should probably do that with every food/wine craving that comes up. Link to comment
Sallie Shuford Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Well, I'm now a couple of weeks POST my first Whole30. Wine hasn't been the struggle that I thought it would be. My tolerance is so much lower and what were formerly "normal amounts" make me feel just gross, so it's been easy to stop with the wine. But I find myself not knowing how to set boundaries around ANY kinds of "treats" or "rewards." Heck, I am one who finds a reason to celebrate every day, which is really why I was checking back in with the forum. I plan to do a full whole30 again in January, but man, how to behave for these six weeks of holidays coming up???!!!?? I feel so screwy in my head! Link to comment
4windsrider Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 I'm so happy to see this discussion about wine…I have nerve damage in one ear and have horrible tinnitus. The worst time is trying to get to sleep with what sounds like a tea kettle whistling in my right ear ! Maddening. The only thing that really damps down the sound is alcohol. I have not slept well since the beginning of my Whole30 (on November 1st). I have had a minor but constant headache for weeks. I am at a loss as to why I feel so yucky but am continuing on. I love the "purity" of this diet, but am honestly looking forward to being able to have some wine and SLEEP again when I finish ! I know so many people are feeling awesome while on their Whole30…I'm still waiting…(-: Link to comment
Raptor5 Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 Swestie, I can totally relate, and it is comforting to read your words. I appreciate your frankness on the subject. I am on day 18 and I still think of having a glass of red wine every night, after putting my little one to sleep. It is tough, but it is great. I also love food. I have been having dreams of glorious tables full of desserts and chocolate. I am glad to hear that Post Whole30, your struggle with vino wasn't as bad. Looking forward to experiencing the same thing! Link to comment
Carlaccini Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 I'm so happy to see this discussion about wine…I have nerve damage in one ear and have horrible tinnitus. The worst time is trying to get to sleep with what sounds like a tea kettle whistling in my right ear ! Maddening. The only thing that really damps down the sound is alcohol. I have not slept well since the beginning of my Whole30 (on November 1st). I have had a minor but constant headache for weeks. I am at a loss as to why I feel so yucky but am continuing on. I love the "purity" of this diet, but am honestly looking forward to being able to have some wine and SLEEP again when I finish ! I know so many people are feeling awesome while on their Whole30…I'm still waiting…(-: 4winds - make sure you are drinking enough water - recommended is half your body weight in ounces daily. I am no way a medical doctor - nor do I play one on TV - but I am wondering if a magnesium supplement might help you. We have some odd reactions to being low on magnesium - everything from sleep issues to digestive issues, to muscle spasms. Even with a healthy diet we are very often STILL magnesium difficient - it might be worth it to give it a try. Link to comment
kirkor Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 And, measuring 3/4 cup of wine, 6 ounces, is an effective strategy. Standard serving size is 5 ounces Link to comment
katie_g Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 I am doing whole 30 largely in part to my drinking problem. Despite eating well 80/20 and being active I have managed to gain 20 pounds in alittle over 2 years. I think its the booze. Keep up your good work. I am on day five and already missing my every other day 36 ounces of red Link to comment
kirkor Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Long thread here with good discussion about alcohol: http://forum.whole9life.com/topic/13620-wine-an-update-and-some-realizations/ Link to comment
MeadowLily Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I'm thinking about whine. I can't see the homepage. I came in through the backdoor. Found this tag and pulled it up. Okay, whine and wine. Today, I am a whine-0. Haven't been able to see what's going on out there for a week. It's a little tough to give up whine and wine. Like for real. During the holiday season, we're faced with all kinds of temptations out there. It's kind of exciting to navigate your way through it all. Parties, horse-divers, drinks. It's doable. I hope everyone is having a good time because I'm not. Whine. Ooooo. Welp. I hope to be able to see you again. As for the wine, don't go there. It's only 30 days. Link to comment
jolong Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Over the last couple of years I've found myself indulging in red wine quite often. Before I knew I was having a glass almost every night! When I noticed that I decided to cut out the weeknights and only have the wine on the weekends. But is that any better when I would have about 3/4 of a bottle a night? I would think not! I'm on day 20 right now and I actually had a dream last week about having a glass of wine, and I have to say that is the thing I am looking forward to on day 31...So maybe that is telling me I should skip it! Link to comment
Misstriumph Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I haven't started my Whole 30 yet, but my biggest worry is missing dark chocolate =( I will have a piece every now and then after work and it is a real treat. It keeps me away from worse junk foods. I will deff miss that during my whole 30. I am hoping this program helps me learn to not depend on chocolate as a stress relief. As for the wine- or any alcohol for that matter- try to keep it to occasions. I maybe drink alcohol once a month if that at all. For instance, next week I am going to my girlfriend's lake house at Lake George for a little Valentines day couples retreat to go snowboarding/skiing. My friends are drinkers so instead of torturing myself to not enjoy any drink or food, my trainer suggests have a drink or two and eat as healthy as I can. But live a little!! I feel after finishing a whole 30 it could be easier not to get back in to certain food or drink habits. Maybe now you can ave wine on occasions ! Then again I am one of those crazy people that obsess about every bad thing I put in my body..which is something I need to clam down about. Link to comment
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